Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario: Coastal Hiking Trail

Hug pebbly beaches and cliffs along Superior shores in Ontario's Pukaskwa National Park.

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Canada’s most populous province is a land of lakes—Great ones. For an untamed taste of the world’s largest stretch of freshwater, check out Superior’s North Shore, where Ice Age glaciers and storm-tossed waves have sculpted the granite coastline into a wilderness of steep hills and deep gorges with a sprinkling of stunted evergreens. Ontario’s largest park, Pukaskwa, sees just 10,000 annual visitors, most of whom stay close to their car. Set off on foot to wander virtually alone through boreal forest full of wolf, black bear, and moose. Pukaswka’s only backcountry route is a sweet one: 37.8 miles of rolling trail, sometimes hard to follow, along rocky coast dotted with beach-front campsites. The track reopened in 2011 after a three-year rebuild of two suspension bridges. For a five-day itinerary, hire a boat shuttle (pricy) or turn around at Oiseau Bay. Better yet, hike the whole thing as a 76-mile out-and-back. Either way, build in bad-weather days; the route’s granite slabs turn super-slick when wet. Start from the Hattie Cove Visitor Center and travel occasionally marshy track through black spruce, jack pine, white birch, and aspen. Cross the White River on Chigamiwinigum Gorge Bridge (mile five), then climb bare granite domes and slabs to Willow Bay (mile 10.2), with excellent camping on a long, curving sand beach. From there to Oiseau Bay’s expansive beachside views (mile 19), the trail hugs the coast past five inlets dotted with rocky islands. South of Oiseau, the last 16 miles are more rugged and less well-marked. The section begins with cliff-brink walking en route to Fisherman’s Cove, followed by a strenuous trek over rocky terrain to White Gravel River at mile 29. Push on along buffed dirt trail to White Spruce Harbor (mile 31), an intimate beach camp. The last 6.8 miles to North Swallow Harbor are slow due to brush and rocky footing, but your reward is a lonely, misty beach alive with pounding surf and the haunting call of loons. Map Crismar Pukaskwa National Park; $15CAD; (905) 852-6151; chrismar.com Contact (807) 229-0801; pc.gc.ca

Three days is all you need for this memorable, 33.2-mile circuit on the northern flanks of Rainier, which connects Natural Bridge, the Yellowstone Cliffs, and Grand Park, a string of must-see landmarks bypassed by the Wonderland Trail.